Brian Starr’s The Missing Children of Blackwood is the kind of book that grips you from the first sentence and refuses to let go. It follows twelve-year-old Daphne Elloise Planter (Daph for short), a sharp, quirky, and self-assured protagonist with a knack for storytelling, as she gets swept into the eerie legend of Blackwood, a town haunted by its dark past and the mysterious disappearances of children. As Daph, her writer-parents, and her massive dog Sparrow set off on a so-called “legend-hunting” adventure, they soon realize that some legends aren’t just stories. Strange warnings, supernatural occurrences, and an ever-thickening fog lead Daph to one terrifying realization: she may not make it out of Blackwood alive.

The book’s greatest strength is Daph herself. She’s witty, defiant, and full of personality, cracking jokes even when she’s in the middle of a terrifying situation. Her opening lines, where she nonchalantly talks about her inevitable death, set the tone for a darkly humorous and adventurous ride. She’s also a wonderfully unreliable narrator in the best way possible. She claims to believe in logic over myths, but her fascination with the unknown pulls her deeper into the town’s secrets. When she first sees the ghostly girl near Blackwood’s entrance, her reaction isn’t just fear; it’s excitement, curiosity, and just the right amount of sass. The mix of humor and horror is balanced so well that even the scariest moments never feel overdone.

The moment Daph and her parents arrive at the ominous fork in the road (with a literal blood-red sign pointing toward death), the tension ratchets up. The slow build-up, the weird trucker lady who bolts at the mere mention of Blackwood, and the way Daph describes the gnarled trees as an “express lane into Terrorville” all add up to a setting that feels alive, like the town is waiting, watching. The scene where the family enters the foggy tunnel, and suddenly, Daphne’s parents start floating, completely unaware, completely silent, had me chilled to the bone. The writing doesn’t just describe fear; it pulls you into it.

The book takes its time setting up the legend of Blackwood, making sure you know the gruesome backstory before the real horror begins. Some might find the first few chapters a little slow, but I actually loved the way it lured me in. It gave me a chance to really get to know Daph and her parents, to appreciate their banter, and to feel that false sense of security before things started unraveling. However, once the mystery kicks into high gear, the pages fly by. The moment Daph is separated from her parents and realizes that she’s truly alone, you feel the shift. The writing gets sharper, the danger more real, and the question of what’s really lurking in Blackwood becomes an obsession.

The Missing Children of Blackwood is perfect for those who love spooky mysteries, snarky narrators, and stories that feel like a campfire tale come to life. It’s got Coraline vibes but with more humor, a splash of horror, and a protagonist who refuses to be just another missing child. If you spook easily, don’t read this one at night, but if you’re up for an eerie, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt adventure, this book is for you.

Pages: 218 | ASIN : B0DNYQ34RT